Greater New Orleans

Former Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan on the sidelines during the game between the New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys at Dallas Cowboys Stadium on Sunday, December 23, 2012.
(Photo by Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

Indianapolis -- St. Louis Rams
Coach Jeff Fisher had some interesting comments during his session with the
media on Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine. Fisher had brief encounters
with both the New Orleans Saints' former defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams,
and their current one, Rob Ryan.

Despite previous reports that
Fisher decided not to hire Ryan in late January because of schematic differences -
Ryan runs and 3-4 and Fisher prefers the 4-3 - it appears Ryan was on board in
St. Louis for at least a couple days before he ultimately decided to pursue a
job in New Orleans.

Fisher acknowledged that much
without going into much detail during his question-and-answer session.

"There were some other things involved,"
Fisher said, hinting that there were more than just schematic differences. "Again,
things have worked out really well for Coach Ryan and for the Rams because
we've got our guy, and he's gone on and he's more comfortable in the odd-front
defense."

Later, Fisher apparently revealed just what
were the "other things involved" when he reportedly told ESPN's Ed Werder that
Ryan actually quit his post to take the job in New Orleans.

"Rams coach Jeff Fisher says
Rob Ryan told him he was leaving to work for Sean Payton by walking in office
and dropping keys on his desk," Werder tweeted.

The Saints formally announced
they had hired Ryan as their defensive coordinator on Feb. 9, 11 days after
Fisher's announced Ryan wouldn't be a part of his staff in St. Louis.

Ryan couldn't be reached for comment.

Also during his press conference Fisher said he made the decision
not to bring Williams, who was the central figure on the Saints' bounty scandal
and was on the Rams' staff while he served his suspension, back during last season.

"I made that
decision well before the season ended, that we wanted to go a different
direction," Fisher said. "It probably wouldn't have been as easy had we not had
the assistants that I had on the staff. I'm talking about Dave McGinnis and
Chuck Cecil and then Coach (Mike) Waufle. You've got guys that have
coordinated.

"I'm very
fortunate to get Frank Bush now. He's also coordinated. So we just felt like we
wanted this to be the Ram defense, so we're moving in a little different
direction from what Gregg's philosophies are."

Fisher, whom
Williams often referred to as one of his best friends in the coaching business,
haven't spoken since Williams was reinstated.

"I have not
spoken with him since being reinstated," Fisher said. "I'm happy that it worked out the way it
did. I think Gregg can help the Titans and help Coach (Mike) Munchak, and of
course Jerry Gray. The other side of that is that they can help him to
re-establish himself back in the league."

Fisher also
said he expects Williams and Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray
to mesh well together in Tennessee.

"They've
worked together in the past and there were no issues. Some years have gone by,
but when they were on our staff, we didn't have any issues," Fisher said.